Tony Blair's decade of peace and war
Britain's leader, who announced he will step down June 27, leaves a mixed legacy, from Northern Ireland to Iraq.
from the May 11, 2007 edition
Page 4 of 4
"You could see Cameron as part of Blair's legacy," says Mr. Rentoul, the biographer. "He has brought the Conservatives on to the center ground and in that respect, Blair has won the argument. And not just with things like public services but issues like gay marriages. Blair has shifted the ground of British politics."
"Blairism is just an extension of Thatcherism – it's Thatcherism with a human face," says Whiteley. "It's still an individualist agenda. In an economic sense it has been very successful. People have made money and they like that and they have rewarded Labour.
"But the disaster of Iraq looms over everything. And when the dust has settled, the argument will probably be that Blair is a very good communicator, but he has poor judgment."
10 years at Downing Street
May 2, 1997 – Wins landslide victory. Approval rating exceeds 60 percent.
April 1999 – Supports NATO in Kosovo.
June 8, 2001 – Wins second landslide election victory with approval rating at about 50 percent.
March 2003 – Parliament approves Iraq invasion.
Sept 30, 2004 – Says he will step down.
May 5, 2005 – Wins third term.
July 6, 2005 – Blair's lobbying helps win 2012 Olympics for Britain.
July 7, 2005 – London bombings kill 52.
Dec 14, 2006 – Blair questioned by detectives in the cash-for-honors inquiry.
May 10, 2007 – Blair says he will resign with 33 percent approval rating.
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